The idea of a film/cafe/performance fine arts space at 2626 Broadway is resonating with people in the streets. We have over 1,234 electronic signatures. Thank you to everyone for signing, sharing and promoting the idea of transforming the gutted UWS Metro Theater.

Monday, April 19, members of the campaign team connected with Norma, Shawn and Marianne of non profit, New Plaza Cinema about our shared love for Art Cinema and the Upper West Side. The location of the Metro is GOOD, but not ideal for the displaced Lincoln Plaza Cinema crowd. Ideally, they would like to be back at Lincoln Plaza Cinema which has not (yet) been gutted. The Milstein family, like the owners of the many empty storefronts on the UWS, seems not to be in a hurry to lease the space. It has been vacant for a number of years now.

Metro petition campaign team members also met via Zoom with Albert Bialek of Broadway Metro Associates LP Monday. Bialek said he is willing to sell the building, then said he is planning to move forward with construction as reported in West Side Rag June of 2020. Bialek said he would share his plans with us and that we could arrange a tour of the building. He also wished us good luck.

Wednesday April 21, Architect, Sean Khorsandi of Landmark West graciously shared his knowledge regarding West Side Real Estate, The Metro Theater, Funding for the Arts, and Architecture. Sean gave a dozen great leads/ideas.

This week we will continue to research and to garner community support for transforming the UWS Metro into some kind of “beautiful” film/cafe/performance fine arts space. If you are into Facebook, please join one of the Metro Theater related Facebook groups. Share the petition. Tweet. Write. Sing. Dance. Make an image. Record a local artist. Talk to a neighbor. Call an elected official.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.”—Margaret Mead